I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. -Jesus

-John 14:6

Monday, February 10, 2014

PA's Erekat Says Peace Talks Will End on April 29; Adds PA Will Not Recognize Israel as Jewish State

Saeb Erekat -- the chief negotiator for the Palestinian Authority (PA) in the U.S.-brokered peace talks with Israel -- said today (February 10, 2014) that direct negotiations have stalled and would not be extended beyond April. He also underlined the PA position that it would not recognize Israel as a Jewish state, the Algemeiner website reports.

Speaking in Ramallah, Erekat denied reports that there was an initiative from the U.S. to extend the negotiations beyond a self-imposed April 29 deadline.

He also dismissed a reported statement from Tzipi Livni -- head of the Israeli delegation to the peace talks -- on the willingness of the PA to recognize Israel as a Jewish state, saying that "it will not happen."

Erekat has been a lead member of the negotiating team for the PA -- and before that for the PLO (the Palestinian Liberation Organization headed by the late Yasser Arafat) -- for the past 23 years.

About Me

I am of the Eastern Orthodox faith and a member of the Holy Trinity Hellenic Orthodox Church in Lowell, MA. I am married and the father of two grown married daughters with children, all belonging to the Greek Orthodox Church.

I received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science, with a concentration in International Affairs, and a Master of Education degree from Northeastern University.

I worked as an education specialist for the federal government for two decades before retiring.

Blog Goal
The primary goal of the Theology and Society blog is to provide its readers with a brief informative description of contemporary theological issues and events, and the impact they may have on society.